Japanese Imari Porcelain Sugar Bowl Hichozan Fukagawa Samurai Meiji

Description

View Japanese Imari Porcelain Sugar Bowl Hichozan Fukagawa Samurai Meiji with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. The form is distinctly Western in function, created for export tea services as sugar was not traditionally used in Japanese tea culture. Raised on three feet and fitted with large C-scroll handles and a domed cover, the piece is decorated in the classic Imari export palette of cobalt blue, iron-red enamels, green highlights and abundant gilding on a dense white porcelain body. Large applied gilt leaves and the pointed gilded finial give the sugar bowl a sculptural appearance. The central shield-shaped cartouche contains a finely painted samurai warrior seated in traditional yoroi armour upon a folding campaign chair, a type of imagery highly popular in Japonisme export decoration. The surrounding ornament combines geometric patterns, floral reserves and richly gilt scrollwork characteristi. Japanese Imari Porcelain Sugar Bowl Hichozan Fukagawa Samurai Meiji This product data sheet is originally written in English. A finely decorated Japanese export porcelain sugar bowl and cover produced in the Arita region during the early Meiji period, circa 1870–1880. The piece belongs to the Hichozan Fukagawa group of export wares associated with the workshop of Eizaemon Fukagawa, one of the leading figures in the development of Japanese porcelain for Western markets before founding the Koransha company in 1875. The form is distinctly Western in function, created for export tea services as sugar was not traditionally used in Japanese tea culture. Raised on three feet and fitted with large C-scroll handles and a domed cover, the piece is decorated in the classic Imari export palette of cobalt blue, iron-red enamels, green highlights and abundant gilding on a dense white porcelain body. Large applied gilt leaves and the pointed gilded finial give the sugar bowl a sculptural appearance. The central shield-shaped cartouche contains a finely painted samurai warrior seated in traditional yoroi armour upon a folding campaign chair, a type of imagery highly popular in Japonisme export decoration. The surrounding ornament combines geometric patterns, floral reserves and richly gilt scrollwork characteristic of late Ko-Imari export porcelain, while chrysanthemums and peonies symbolise nobility and longevity. Particularly attractive is the small asymmetrical bird painted on the cover, rendered in quick free brushstrokes with black, red and blue enamels. Visible faint horizontal lines on the body are original manufacturing and wheel-finishing marks from sectional hand construction and should not be mistaken for damage. The underside bears the rare iron-red mark “Hichozan Fukagawa sei”. “Hichozan” refers to a poetic kiln or regional name connected with the Hizen/Arita porcelain tradition, while “Fukagawa sei” translates as “made by Fukagawa.” This early Fukagawa mark predates the later Fukagawa Seiji factory established in 1894 and is associated with Japanese export porcelain produced during the late Edo and early Meiji periods. The Fukagawa workshops became internationally recognised during the great world exhibitions of the Meiji era. Koransha, founded by Eizaemon Fukagawa in Arita in 1875, received a Certificate of Merit at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and won a Gold Prize at the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle for its Japanese export porcelain. This piece has strong antique and collector’s value, as the Hichozan Fukagawa mark was used for a relatively short period and had already fallen out of use before the official establishment of the Fukagawa Seiji factory in 1894. Dimensions: Height: 18 cm Width: 18.5 cm Depth: 13 cm Weight: 546 g Condition: Excellent antique condition with no cracks, chips, repairs or paint losses. Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. The form is distinctly Western in function, created for export tea services as sugar was not traditionally used in Japanese tea culture. Raised on three feet and fitted with large C-scroll handles and a domed cover, the piece is decorated in the classic Imari export palette of cobalt blue, iron-red enamels, green highlights and abundant gilding on a dense white porcelain body. Large applied gilt leaves and the pointed gilded finial give the sugar bowl a sculptural appearance. The central shield-shaped cartouche contains a finely painted samurai warrior seated in traditional yoroi armour upon a folding campaign chair, a type of imagery highly popular in Japonisme export decoration. The surrounding ornament combines geometric patterns, floral reserves and richly gilt scrollwork characteristi Category: Antiques › Asian Antiques › Japan › Bowls. Brand: Unbranded.

Product

Bowl

Primary Material

Porcelain/ Pottery

Sub-Type

Not specified

Antique

Yes

Original/Repro

Antique Original

Region of Origin

Japanese

Materials sourced from

Japan

Country of Origin

Japan

Age

1850-1899

Brand

Unbranded